Apparatus for cleaning and processing articles



May 3 1966 RF. H. REICHERT ETAL 3,253,359

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND PROCESSING ARTICLES Original Filed Aug. 17,1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS: Paul FII. Reichgri, Th 1011.

omas J.D I 152 Wisatw May 31, 1966 'P. F. H. REICHERT ETAL 3,253,369

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND PROCESSING ARTICLES Original Filed Aug. 17.1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ilia-7- INVENTORS: Paul RH Relchert 50 ThomasJiDwn.

IT S-1U- wig ce m United States Patent Ohio, assignors to The ReichertFloat & Manufacturing Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of OhioContinuation of application Ser. No. 132,063, Aug. 17, 1961. Thisapplication Jan. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 335,289

12 Claims. (Cl. 51163) This application is a continuation of ourapplication Serial No. 132,063, filed August 17, 1961, now abandoned.

This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning and processing articlesor parts and more especially to apparatus for agitating or vibrating thearticles or parts in the presence of a comminuted treating, cleaning orabrasive media.

The cleaning and finishing of articles or parts, particularly those ofmetal, such as castings, stampings and the like have heretofore beenlaborious and time consuming operations as such articles or parts areusually formed with sharp or irregular edges or surfaces whichnecessarily must be further processed or treated to enhance the use orsaleability of the articles or parts. Endeavors have been made toagitate the parts in the presence of a cleaning or abrasive material ina receptacle by mechanical means to effect a finishing or cleaning ofthe parts but such devices have been unsatisfactory beacuse of lack ofcontrol of the frequency and amplitude of vibration and the severe wearof the components of a mechanical vibrating means.

The present invention embraces an apparatus particularly for use forcleaning, descaling, finishing, polishing, deburring, abrading orburnishing, articles, parts or components by vibration in the presenceof a movable or flowable media wherein the amplitude and frequency ofvibration may be varied and controlled to obtain the most etficienttreating or processing action of the media on the articles, parts orcomponents.

An object of the invention resides in an apparatus com prising areceptacle resiliently supported in combination with a variable speedfluid-actuated means for effecting vibratory movements of thereceptaclewhereby the most eflicient frequency. of vibration oragitation of the receptacle and the treating media may be attained andthe articles, parts or components in the receptacle processed, cleanedor finished in a minimum of time.

A further object of the invention resides in a resiliently mountedreceptacle arranged to be vibrated by a fluid actuated means wherein thefrequency and amplitude of vibration may be varied to attain the mostefficient processing of articles in the receptacle, the arrangementembodying motive means for tilting the receptacle relative to itssupport to discharge the articles from the receptacle. Another object ofthe invention resides in a processing tank or receptacle arranged to bevibrated by variable speed fluid actuated means, the apparatus beingadapted for treating or processing articles in a dry or wet media as maybe required by the character of the articles.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economics of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may bepreferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus illustrating thefluid pressure system and actuators and controls therefor;

ice

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of means for effecting vibration of thereceptacle containing the articles to be processed;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 ofFIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of one of the components of thevibration producing means;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view of another of the components of thevibration producing means;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 ofFIGURE 8, and

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view through the parts receiving receptacleillustrating a method of supporting certain articles or parts duringvibratory processing operatrons.

While the apparatus of the invention are particularly usable forcleaning, deburring, descaling, abrading, burnishing, finishing orpolishing articles or parts, particularly articles or parts of metal, itis to be understood that the apparatus may be utilized to advantagewherever it is desirable to vibrate, at comparatively high frequencies,a plurality of articles or parts formed of plastic or other materialsand a treating media.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the apparatus includes a main frameor support 10 comprising a base plate 11 to which is secured spacedvertical frame members or plates 12 and 14 of substantially the sameshape. The frame members 12 and 14 are respectively provided withreinforcing webs 16. The main frame 10 supports a supplemental frame 20forming a carriage or carrier for mounting the receptacle, tank ortumbler 22 provided with an inner liner 23 of nonmetallic material suchas rubber, synthetic rubber or resinous material.

In the embodiment illustrated, the receptacle carrier or supplementalframe 20 comprises longitudinally extending bars 24 preferably ofL-shape cross-section spaced to accommodate the tank 22 and joined attheir ends by transverse members 26 which are welded or otherwisefixedly secured to the longitudinal bars 24.

Secured to each of the vertical struts or frame members 12 and 14arebearing supports or members 28 eachprovided with a bearing bushing orsleeve 30. Secured to each of the transverse bars or members 26 of thecarrier 20 are brackets 32, each of the brackets being equipped with atenon or shaft 34 journaled in and supported by the bearings 30 carriedby the bearing supports 28.

Through this form of mounting, the carrier 20 and receptacle or tank 22may be tilted to facilitate discharge of contents from the tank. Thereceptacle or tank 22 is elongated lengthwise of the carrier 20 and isof generally U-shaped cross-section having a semi-cylindrically shapedbottom portion 38, side walls 39, end walls 40 and a rectangular flangestructure 42 forming the perimeter of the entrance to the tumbler, thetumbler being open at the top, the opening being defined by the flangestructure 42. A removable cover may be provided for the tank, ifdesired.

The receptacle 22 is resiliently supported by the carrier 20 so as to becapable of oscillatory or vibratory movements. Welded or otherwisefixedly secured to each side wall 39 of the receptacle 22 are brackets44 which form abutments for resilient means or coil springs 46. Thecarrier 20 is provided with pads or brackets 48 forming seats orsupports for the coil springs 46 in the manner shown in FIGURES l and 2.The springs 46 support the receptacle 22 and its contents whereby thereceptacle may be vibrated or oscillated independently of the cartier 20as the bars 24 and 26 are spaced from side and end walls of the tank 22.

The arrangement of the invention is inclusive of an adjustable rotatableeccentric mass, weight or vibration producing means driven byreversible, variable speed fluid actuating means whereby the amplitudeand frequency of vibration or oscillation of the tank or receptacle andits contents may be regulated and controlled. As shown in FIGURES 1, 2and 3, there is welded to the bottom region of the receptacle 22 amember 49 having a planar or plate portion 50. Disposed beneath theplate portion 50 are longitudinally spaced members 51 which are .weldedto the plate 50 as at 52, shown in FIGURE 3.

Each member 51 is bored to accommodate and retain an anti-friction ortaper roller bearing construction 54. If desired, ball bearings maybeemployed in lieu of taper roller bearings. Journally supported in thebearings 54, is a shaft 56. Also secured to the plate 50 by means ofbolts 58 is an L-shaped bracket 60, the depending portion 61 of Whichsupports a flange 64 of a fluid or hydraulically actuated motor 66, theflange 64 being a part of the housing 68 of the motor. The flange may bebolted to the depending portion 61 of bracket 60 by means of bolts 62.

The depending portion 61 is bored as at 70 to accommodate a cylindricalportion of the housing 68 to properly align the axis of the motor 66with the axis of the rotatable shaft 56. The fluid motor 66 is of thereversible type of conventional character and is provided with arotatable output shaft 72 equipped with a coupling member or section 74,one end of the shaft 56 being equipped with a cooperating coupling orsection 74.

The coupling construction is inclusive of flexible rubber inserts 76forming components of the coupling to establish a flexible driveconnection between the motor output shaft 72 and the driven shaft 56,the coupling means being of conventional construction.

Spacer rings 78 are arranged at each side of the anti-. frictionbearings 54 carried by the shaft. The shaft 56. is equipped with aneccentric mass or weight provided by two discs adjustably mounted toregulate the magnitude of centrifugal force utilized to establishvibratory or oscilliatory movements of the receptacle 22. Theconstruction for accomplishing the vibration or oscillation of thereceptacle or tank 22 is shown in FIGURES 4 through 9.

Mounted upon a portion 80 of the shaft 56 of slightly larger diameterthan the remainder of the shaft is a member 82 preferably of circulardisc-like configuration fashioned with a hub portion 84. The disc ormember 82 is provided with a bore 86 of a diameter whereby the disc issnugly fitted onto the portion 80 of the shaft 56 and is keyed to theshaft by means of a key 88 which fits into a groove in the portion 80and in a keyway 90 formed in the hub portion 84.

The disc or member 82 is fashioned with an opening 92 preferably ofsemi-annular shape, as shown in FIGURE 6, which subtends an angle ofabout 180 of the disc to thereby reduce the mass of the disc at one sideof the axis of the disc providing an eccentric weight.

As shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the remaining portion of the disc, whichsubtends an angle of about 180, is substantially solid and fashionedwith a plurality of threaded openings 94 preferably arranged at equalradial distances from the axis of rotation of the disc and spacedcircumferentially as illustrated in FIGURE 6. Each of, the openings inthe disc 82 is counterbored as indicated at 96 to accommodate a tenonportion 98 of member 100, shown in FIGURES and 9, the latter having athreaded tenon 102 adapted to extend into one of the threaded openings94 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

As shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, a second disc or disclike member 104 isprovided with a central bore 106 of a diameter to snugly fit over thehub portion or tenon 84 of the disc 82v but with suflicient clearance toeffect counterbore 111 to accommodate the member shown.

in FIGURES 5 and 9. The discs 82 and 104 are shown in assembled relation.in FIGURES 4 and 5. By removv ing the threaded member 100 and adjustingthe disc 104 relative to the disc 82 by rotating one disc with respect Ito the other, the amount of mass that is eccentric to the axis ofrotation of the discs may be varied whereby the amplitude of centrifugalforce generated or developed by rotation of the assembly ofeccentrically weighted discs, shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, utilized tovibrate or oscillate the receptacle 22 may be varied and controlled.

Thus the disc 104 may be adjusted about the axis of the hub 84 to thedesired position wherein the opening in disc 104 registers with one ofthe threaded openings 94 formed in the disc 82 to provide the desiredeccentric adjustment of the mass and the member 100 inserted throughregistering openings in the discs 104 and 82 as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6to secure the discs together in adjusted positions. The disc 104, at theregion of the bore 110 accommodating member 100, is formed with athreaded bore 112 to receive a locking or setscrew 114 which engages thehead of member 100 to prevent dislodgment of the member 100 duringrotation of the discs.

By rotating the discs in assembled relation, the eccentric mass providedthereby under the influence of rotation develops centrifugal forces foroscillating or vibrating the receptacle 22 and its contents. The fluidactuated motor 66 is of conventional construction and is of the variablespeed reversible type and is preferably actuated by fluid such as oil.The arrangement for the delivery and control of oil flow or flow ofother fluid to the motor 66 is shown in FIGURE 2. The fluid system isinclusive of a receptacle forming a reservoir adapted to contain asupply of oil or other fluid.

Mounted upon the receptacle 120 is a cover plate 122 supporting a fluidpump 124 for developing fluid pressure for driving the fluid actuatedmotor 66. Mounted by the receptacle 120 is a housing 126 enclosing avalve means 128 operated by a lever or member 130 for controlling theflow of fluid under pressure to the motor 66.

The pump 124 is provided with an inlet or supply tube 132 incommunication with the reservoir 120, and an outlet tube 134 incommunication with the valve means in the housing 126. The valve housing126 is connected with the fluid driven motor 66. by means of tubes 136and 138.

The valve mechanism in the housing 126 is associated with a fluid returntube 140 for returning fluid from the motor 66 into the reservoir ortank 120. The valve means 128 is of a character which is movable topositions to regulate the amount or rate of fluid flow to the motor 66and to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor 66, if desired.Thus by providing a control over the rate of flow of liquid or fluid tothe motor 66, the rate or speed of rotation of the eccentric massprovided by the discs 82 and 104 may be controlled to thereby regulateand control the frequency of oscillation or vibration of the receptacleunder the influence of centrifugal forces developed by the rotatingeccentric mass.

The adjustment of the relative position of the disc 82 with respect tothe disc 104 provides an adjustment of the mass that is eccentric to theaxis of rotation and hence varies the amplitude of oscillation orvibration forces imparted to the receptacle 22. Means is provided fortilting the receptacle or tank 22 in order to discharge the contents ofthe receptacle after the cleaning, burnishing, deburring or otherprocessing operations have been completed upon the parts, components orarticles contained in the receptacle.

the abrasive or mobile treating material.

. processing operations.

cable piston 148 mounted upon a piston rod 150. The

upper end of the piston rod 150 is provided with a fitting 152 which ispivotally connected by a pivot 153 with a bracket 154 welded orotherwise secured to the receptacle carrier 20. The opposite end of thecylinder is formed with a clevis portion 156 which is pivotallyconnected by means of a pivot 158 with a bracket 160 welded or otherwisesecured to the base or frame plate 11.

Mounted upon the receptacle or reservoir 120 is an upwardly extendingmember or strut 164 which supports a valve housing 166 containing avalve 168 which is adapted for manual manipulation by means of a leveror actuator 170. A tubular means 172 connects the valve housing 166 withthe pressure side of the pump 124, and a second tube 174 provides areturn line into the tank or receptacle 120. The upper end of thecylinder 146 of the servo-motor 144 is connected by means of a tube 176with the valve housing 166, and the lower end of the cylinder 146connected by a second tube 178 with the valve housing 166.

When it is desired to tilt or partially invert the tank or receptacle22, the valve 168 is moved to a position to effect fluid flow to thelower end of the cylinder 146 through the tube 178. The fluid pressureprojects the piston 148 upwardly in the cylinder and effects a tiltingof the receptacle 22 about the axis of its supporting shafts 34 todischarge the contents of the receptacle.

Manipulation of the valve 168 in the opposite direction effects fluidflow under pressure to the upper end of the cylinder through the tube176 to move the piston 148 downwardly and restore the receptacle 22 toits upright position, as viewed in FIGURES l and 2.

A trough or table 180 is provided onto which the contents of thereceptacle may be discharged so as to enable the separation of the partsor articles being treated from The contents may, if desired, bedelivered into a portable container disposed adjacent the tank 22.

' Various types of abrasive, polishing or cleaning materials or mediamay be employed in the receptacle 22 for the treatment or processing ofparts contained therein.

Material such as silicon carbide may be employed for metalparts, orhardened steel slugs of a size of from i to /2 inch, preferably ofirregular shapes, may be used as a burnishing, deburring or cleaningmaterial for metal parts. The arrangement also may be employed forcleaning, deflashing or deburring extruded or molded articles formed ofplastics through the use of a suitable mobile media contained in thereceptacle.

The nonmetallic liner 23 is preferably bonded or vulcanized to the innersurface of the receptacle 22. Through the use of a nonmetallic liner,contact of the parts with the metal of the receptacle is preventedwhereby the life of the apparatus is greatly prolonged.

Means is provided for maintaining the receptacle 22 in substantiallyupright or vertical position during article As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2,each of the frame strut members 12 and 14 supports a bracket 182 towhich is pivotally connected at hook-like element 184 by means of apivot pin 185. A depending portion 187 of each element 184 is normallyadapted to v extend into an opening formed in a bracket 188 secured toeach of the end walls of the receptacle 22. The openings in the brackets188 are of a size to provide clearance for I the portions 187 so as notto impair vibrations or oscillations of the receptacle. When it isdesired to tilt the receptacle, the elements 184 are swung about thepivot pins out of engagement with the brackets 188.

It is usually desirable'to employ water or liquid in the receptacle withthe abrading or cleaning media. Water may be delivered into thereceptacle 22. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, a drain fitting 194 and aT-fitting 195 tube and inserting the end into a floor drain or sump 198as shown in broken lines in FIGURE 1.

In processing certain parts, it is sometimes desirable to isolate theparts, one from another during processing operations in the receptacle22. FIGURE 10 illustrates an arrangement or fixture for supportingarticles in spaced relation. article supporting means 202 isconfigurated to support articles 204 in spaced relation as shown inFIGURE 10. The fixture or cover member 200 is removable and may besecured to the receptacle by means of clamps 206 or other securingmeans. It is to be understood that the article supporting fixture ormeans may be of a shape to accommodate particular articles to beprocessed.

The arrangement of the present invention provides a rapid and economicalapparatus for processing or treating articles for the purposeshereinbefore mentioned. The rotation of the eccentric weight assemblyprovided by the discs 82 and 104 effects an oscillatory or vibratoryaction of the receptacle 22 and the mobile treating media and articlescontained therein. The frequency of oscillation or vibration may bevaried and controlled by varying the speed of the fluid actuated motor66. The amplitude of oscillation or vibration may be varied by adjustingthe position of the disc 104 with respect to the disc 82.

Through such arrangement, the most effective and efficient oscillatingor vibrating action may be attained for the particular articles to betreated or processed.

For example, with small or delicate articles or parts, a low amplitudeand high frequency oscillation or vibration may be most efiicient. Withcastings or parts of substantial size or weight, a high amplitude lowfrequency may be most effective. The apparatus therefore provides,through the means hereinbefore described, for most efiicient treating orprocessing of articles of various shapes and materials by varying,regulating or controlling the oscillation or vibration of the articlesand the treating media in the receptacle.

It is believed that the rotation of the eccentric mass or bodyprovidedby the discs 82 and 104 establishes an oscillatory or orbitalmovement to the receptacle and its contents. When the receptacle and itscontents are actuated by the centrifugal forces generated by rotation ofthe eccentric mass or body, the mobile article-treating media moves fromone side wall of the receptacle to the other and accumulates at anincreased depth adjacent the Wall toward which the material is moving.This action of the com-minuted treating material continues as long asthe actuating forces are transmitted to the receptacle. It is found thatby reversing the direction of rotation of the motor 66, thearticle-treating material moves in the opposite direction in thereceptacle. The rapidity of movement is in a measure dependent upon thefrequency of vibration or oscillation of the receptacle.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modificationsand different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed,and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a support,a receptacle adapted to contain the articles and a mobilearticle-treating material, resilient means mounting the receptacle onthe support, a shaft, means mounted by the receptacle journallysupporting the shaft, a first member mounted on said shaft for rotationtherewith,

A cover member or fixture 200 equipped with a second member mounted onsaid first member, each of said members having a semi-annular openingformed therein whereby its center of mass is spaced from the axis ofrotation, said second member being adjustable relative to said firstmember to vary the distance of the center of mass provided by bothmembers from the axis of rotation, means for securing said memberstogether in adjusted position, and fluid-actuated means for rotatingsaid shaft and members.

2. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a mainframe, a metal receptacle provided with an inner liner of nonmetallicmaterial adapted to contain the articles and a mobile article-treatingmaterial, a supplemental frame pivotally mounted on the main frame;resilient means mounting the receptacle on the supplemental frame, ashaft, means mounted by the receptacle journally supporting the shaft,21 first disc-like member mounted on said shaft for rotation therewithand having a hub portion, a second disc-like member mounted on the hubportion of the first member, each of said disc-like members being formedwith a sector-like opening whereby its center of mass is spaced from theaxis of rotation, sa d second member being rotatably adjustable relativeto said first member to vary the distance of the center of mass providedby both members from the axis of rotation, means for securing saidmembers together in adjusted position, hydraulically actuated means forrotating said shaft and members, and valve means for varying flow ofliquid to said hydraulically actuated means to control the speed ofrotation of said shaft and members.

3. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a support,a receptacle adapted to contain the articles and a mobilearticle-treating material, resilient means mounting the receptacle onthe support, a shaft, a plate disposed longitudinally of the receptacleand fixedly secured thereto, bearing means mounted by the platejournally supporting said shaft, a first member mounted on said shaftfor rotation therewith, a second member mounted on said first member,each of said members having an open area formed therein at one side ofthe axis of rotation thereof whereby its center of mass is spaced fromthe axis of rotation, said second member being adjustable relative tothe first member to vary the distance of the center of mass provided byboth members from the axis of rotation, means for securing the memberstogether in adjusted position, said members being disposed adjacent atransverse plane through the central region of the receptacle, and afluid-actuated variable speed motor for rotating said shaft and members.

4. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a support,a receptacle adapted to contain the articles and a mobilearticle-treating material, resilient'means mounting the receptacle onthe support, a shaft, means mounted by the receptacle journallysupporting said shaft, a first member mounted on said shaft for rotationtherewith, a second member mounted on said first member, each of saidmembers having an open area formed therein at one side to the axis ofrotation thereof whereby its center of mass is spaced from the axis ofrotation, said second member being adjustable relative to the firstmember to vary the distance of the center of mass provided by bothmembers from the axis of rotation, means for securing the memberstogether in adjusted position, a fluid-actuated variable speed motor forrotating said shaft and members, means connected with the motor arrangedto supply fluid to the motor, and valve means associated with said fluidsupply means for controlling fluid flow to regulate the speed of saidmotor.

5. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a frame, asupport pivotally mounted on the frame, a receptacle adapted to containthe articles and a mobile article-treating material, resilient meansmounting the receptacle on the support, a shaft, a plate disposedlongitudinally of the receptacle and fixedly secured thereto, bearingmeans mounted by the plate journally supporting said shaft, a firstmember mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a second membermounted on said first member, each of said members having an open area'formed therein at one side of the axis of rotation thereof whereby itscenter of mass is spaced from the axis of rotation, said second memberbeing adjustable relative to the first member to vary the distance ofthe center of mass provided by both members from the axis of rotation,means for securing the members together in adjusted position, saidmembers being disposed adjacent a transverse plane through the centralregion of the receptacle, a fluid actuated variable speed motor forrotating said shaft and members, tubular means connecting the motor witha supply of fluid, and valve means associated with said tubular meansfor controlling fluid flow to regulate the speed of said motor.

6. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a frame, asupport pivotally mounted on the frame, a receptacle adapted to containthe articles and a mobile article-treating material, resilient meansmounting the receptacle on the support, a shaft, bearing means mountedby the receptacle journally .supporting said shaft, a first membermounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a second member mounted onsaid first member, each of said member having an open area formedtherein at one side of the axis of rotation thereof whereby its centerof mass is spaced from the axis of rotation, said second member beingadjustable relative to the first member to vary the distance of thecenter of mass provided by both members from the axis of rotation, meansfor se curing the members together in adjusted position, said receptacleand support being tiltable about the pivotal mounting of the support, adrain fitting secured to a lower portion of the receptacle, a drain tubeconnected with the fitting, a fluid actuated variable speed motor forrotating said shaft and members, and means for effecting tiltingmovement of the support and receptacle.

7. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a frame, asupport pivotally mounted on the frame, a receptacle adapted to containthe articles and a mobile article-treating material, resilient meansmounting the receptacle on the support, a shaft, bearing means mountedby the receptacle journally supporting said shaft, a first membermounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a second member mounted onsaid first member, each of said member having an open area formedtherein at one side of the axis of rotation thereof whereby its centerof mass is spaced from the axis of rotation, said second member beingadjustable relative to the first member to vary the distance of the cnter of mass provided by both members from the axis of rotation, meansfor securing he members together in adjusted position, said receptaclesupport being tiltable about the pivotal mounting of the support, adrain fitting secured to a lower portion of the receptacle, a drain tubeconnected with the fitting and arranged whereby the distal end region ofthe tube is disposed adjacent the upper portion of the receptacle duringtreatment of the articles, a filter screen associated with said fitting,a first fluid actuated means for rotating said shaft and members, and asecond fluid actuated means for effecting tilting movement of thesupport and receptacle.

8. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a frame, asupport pivotally mounted on the frame, a receptacle adapted to containthe articles and a mobile article-treating material, resilient meansmounting the receptacle on the support, a shaft, a plate disposedlOngitudinally of the receptacle and fixedly secured thereto, bearingmeans mounted by the plate journally supporting said shaft, a firstmember mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a second membermounted on'said first member, each of said members having an open areaformed therein at one side of the axis of rotation thereof whereby itscenter of mass is spaced from the axis of rotation, said second memberbeing adjustable relative to the first member to vary the distance ofthe center of mass provided by both members from the axis of rotation,means for securing the members together in adjusted position, saidreceptacle support being tiltable about the pivotal mounting of thesupport, a drain fitting secured to a lower portion of the receptacle, adrain tube of flexible material connected with the fitting and arrangedwhereby the distal end region of the tube is disposed adjacent the upperportion of the receptacle during treatment of the bodies, a filterscreen associated with said fitting, a variable speed fluid-actuatedmotor for rotating said shaft and members, and motive means foreffecting tilting movement of the support and recep-tacle.

9. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a frame, asupport pivotally mounted on the frame, a receptacle adapted to containthe articles and a mobile article-treating material, resilient meansmounting the receptacle on the support, a shaft, a plate disposedlongitudinally of the receptacle and fixedly secured thereto, bearingmeans carried by the plate journally supporting said shaft, a firstmember mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a second membermounted on said first member, fluid actuated means for rotating saidshaft and members, each of said members having an open area formedtherein at one side of the axis of rotation thereof whereby its centerof mass is spaced from the axis of rotation, said second member beingadjustable relative to the first member to vary the distance of thecenter of mass provided by both members from the axis of rotation, abolt for securing the members together in adjusted position extendingthrough an opening in one of said members, the other of said membershaving a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded openingsarranged for selective registration with the opening in the adjacentmember to threadedly receive the bolt for securing the members togetherin a selected adjusted position, and a locking means engageable with thebolt.

10. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a support,a receptacle adapted to contain the articles and a mobilearticle-treating material, resilient means mounting the receptacle onthe support, a shaft, means mounted by the receptacle journallysupporting said shaft, a first member mounted on said shaft for rotationtherewith, a second member mounted on said first member, fluid-actuatedmeans for rotating said shaft and members, each of said members havingan open area formed therein at one side of the axis of rotation thereofwhereby its center of mass is spaced from the axis of rotation, saidsecond member being adjustable relative to the first member to vary thedistance of the center of mass provided by both members from the axis ofrotation, means for securing the members together in adjusted position,said means including a cylindricallyshaped element extending through anopening in one of said members, the other of said members having aplurality of circumferentially spaced openings arranged for selectiveregistration with the opening in the adjacent member, portions of saidcircumferentially spaced openings being threaded, saidcylindrically-shaped element having a threaded tenon arranged tothreadedly engage the threaded portion of a selected opening of thecircumferentially spaced openings to secure the members together in aselected adjusted position.

11. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a frame, asupport pivotally mounted on the frame, a receptacle adapted to containthe articles and a mobile article-treating material, resilient meansmounting the receptacle on the support, a shaft, means mounted by thereceptacle journally supporting said shaft, a first member mounted onsaid shaft for rotation therewith, a second member mounted on said firstmember, each of said members having an open area formed therein at oneside of the axis of rotation thereof whereby its center of mass isspaced from the axis of rotation, said second member being adjustablerelative to the first member to vary the distance of the center of massprovided by both members from the axis of rotation, means for securingthe members together in adjusted position, a fluid-actuated variablespeed motor for rotating said shaft and members, a fluid actuated meansfor tilting the receptacle about the axis of the pivotal mounting of thesupport including a cylinder element, a piston element reciprocable inthe cylinder element, said elements being connected respectively to theframe and the support, means for conveying fluid into and out of thecylinder element for actuating the piston element to effect tiltingmovements of the receptacle, and means for controlling flow of fluidinto and out of said cylinder element.

12. Apparatus for treating discrete articles, in combination, a frame, asupport pivotally mounted on the frame, a receptacle adapted to containthe articles and a mobile article-treating material, resilient meansmounting the receptacle on the support, a shaft, a plate disposedlongitudinally of the receptacle and fixedly secured thereto, bearingmeans carried by the plate journally supporting said shaft, a firstmember mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a second membermounted on said first member, each of said members having an open areaformed therein at one side of the axis of rotation thereof whereby itscenter of mass is spaced from the axis of rotation, said second memberbeing adjustable relative to the first member to vary the distance ofthe center of mass provided by both members from the axis of rotation,means for securing the members together in adjusted position, afluid-actuated variable speed motor for rotating said shaft and members,means arranged to convey fluid under pressure to said motor, valve meansassociated with said fluid conveying means for controlling fluid flow tothe motor for varying the speed of the motor, a fluid actuated means fortilting the receptacle about the axis of the pivotal mounting of thesupport including a cylinder element, a piston element reciprocable inthe cylinder element, said elements being connected respectively to theframe and the support, means for conveying fluid into and out of thecylinder element for actuating the piston element to effect tiltingmovements of the receptacle, and valve means for controlling flow offluid into and out of said cylinder element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,677,967 5/ 1954Galbreath 7487 2,774,244 12/ 1956 Bergstrom et al. 74-61 2,973,6063/1961 Brandt 517 2,997,813 8/1961 Brandt 51-7 2,997,814 8/1961 Brandt517 3,063,207 11/1962 Moore 511 63 3,093,940 6/ 1963 Balz 51163 FOREIGNPATENTS 919,519 11/1946 France.

LESTER M. SWINGLE, Primary Examiner.

J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Examiner.

J. L. TATE, Assistant Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR TREATING DISCRETE ARTICLES, IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORT,A RECEPTACLE ADAPTED TO CONTAIN THE ARTICLES AND A MOBILEARTICLE-TREATING MATERIAL, RESILIENT MEANS MOUNTING THE RECEPTACLE ONTHE SUPPORT, A SHAFT, MEANS MOUNTED BY THE RECEPTACLE JOURNALLYSUPPORTING THE SHAFT, A FIRST MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT FOR ROTATIONTHEREWITH, A SECOND MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID FIRST MEMBER, EACH OF SAIDMEMBERS HAVING A SEMI-ANNULAR OPENING FORMED THEREIN WHEREBY ITS CENTEROF MASS IS SPACED FROM THE AXIS OF ROTATION, SAID SECOND MEMBER BEINGADJUSTABLE RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST MEMBER TO VARY THE DISTANCE OF THECENTER OF MASS PROVIDED BY BOTH MEMBERS FROM THE AXIS OF ROTATION, MEANSFOR SECURING SAID MEMBERS TOGETHER IN ADJUSTED POSITION, ANDFLUID-ACTUATED MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID SHAFT AND MEMBERS.